propane overpressure

[trapper]

Had the propane filled at the end of February while we were on vacation.    It was filled about 3 days before we got home  and my daughter started the outdoor furnace before we got home so we used almost no propane from the tank.  For the last 2 days the tank has been getting warm with the current warm spell and the expanding propane has been tripping the over pressure valve several times a day. when that happens it blows the cover off the tank and sounds like a shotgun going off.  Made several calls to the propane company and all I get is the valve is doing what it is supposed to do and dont worry about it. It is their tank that I pay rent on.   Any suggestions?

[Magicman]

The tank was probably overfilled.  It should have been filled to 80%.  If the pop off valve is set correctly (and it probably is) the propane is expanding as it warms up and the pop off valve is releasing the excess pressure.  Yup, doing it's job.

[jason.weir]

Yup, doing it's job.

And letting $$$ escape into the air...

[Southside]

Had the same exact thing happen today with a tank that was filled a few weeks ago - first really warm day, yes the relief it doing its job, the problem is the technician who filled it did not do their job.  

[maple flats]

I have 2 bulk tanks, one at the sugarhouse and one on a 5th wheel camper permanently parked nearby. I instruct my supplier to only fill the tanks to 75% after 3/1 until 12/1. That way, when a tank is filled I'm using propane at the sugarhouse so as the temperature rises I've used it down. Doing thus I've never heard the safety valve blow.

[pabst79]

100% agree with Southside, the LP companies usually fill to 85% in our area in Jan and Feb, the driver should have filled it to 80% max this far into Spring.

[low_48]

FS dealer around here had a supplier put anhydrous ammonia in their bulk propane tank. They've placed temp tanks at all homes effected, and are replacing all brass parts in appliances. What a mess! Insurance companies are supposed to be covering all costs! No idea what they will be doing with the contaminated product.

[DelawhereJoe]

Why do you think you only get 15 or 17 lbs in a lp tank any more when you swap them out ? Much less likelihood of things being over filled = less trouble with customers tanks venting off or bursting into flames burning houses and grills down.

[Woodcutter_Mo]

 I'd say they overfilled it. They overfilled our tank several years back and on a hot day it tripped the relief valve and shot a stream of propane 20'+ in the air letting off a super loud hiss sound. We had to yell to hear each other on the other side of the house about 50'+ away. 

[PineNut]

Why only 15 to 17 lbs in a tank? They want you to come back for a replacement tank sooner.
 
Marketeers,  husketeers, racketeers. The only different is the degree of legality.
 

[DelawhereJoe]

A tank with 15 or 17 lbs isn't going to vent off, 4.6lbs per gal for lp, its just safer for the companies that fill a 1000 tanks an hour. Less likelihood of being sued by your customers. I used to work for a company that filled tanks for Blue Rhino and for Papco and if everything was working right they could fill 1000 cans an hour. They would also wear out a forklift before they paid ot off too.

[Crusarius]

it is a safety thing. Propane is heavier than air. That means if you have a low spot and you vent propane it will settle into the low spot. creates a very unsafe condition. Especially if some form of spark / ignition happens in said low spot.

Example drive your garden tractor through the low spot and it could be the last time you ever do.

[trapper]

lit our water heater today to use the  excess propane in the tank.  bought the water heater 15 years ago and had not lit it yet.  Used the outdoor furnace for hot water.     took my air compressor down  and blew out the accumulated dust. Will see if I use enough to keep it from blowing again.  The heat wave continues